Totto Ramen…

Met Kayt for an early dinner last Wednesday. We arrived at 6pm and there was a 30-minute wait. Crazy. And for a weeknight too. She opted for the vegetarian and I had the chicken ramen with a topping of seasoned avocado.

Chicken ramen features a whole chicken and shoyu-based broth with scallions, onions, char siu, and nori. Straight noodles are housemade, cooked al dente. Satisfying. Until I took a spoonful of Kayt’s vegetarian broth and started second guessing my order.

I came back the following night for a vegetarian bowl of my own.

The vegetarian broth is made from a konbu and shitake mushroom base. With a spicy yuzu paste, it’s unexpectedly hearty especially when completed with a literal rainbow of vegetables. Look close and pick out asparagus, mushrooms, red and yellow peppers, spinach, and that same seasoned avocado I added to the house ramen. The toppings change seasonally – will be exciting to return in the summer for a new set of vegetables.